It's About Time

Everyone is busy with their own life, so I won't bore you with the reasons I haven't updated this blog in the past few months. Suffice it to say I'm back. Between my June visit to L. A. for the BEA and now, I've launched Windrusher and the Trail of Fire locally with two book parties, travelled to Asheville for a talk and signing, participated in a new book festival – Florida Heritage Book Festival (FHBF), more about that below, and visited with the new grand baby. Can you guess which one meant the most to me? Although I can't speak for baby Alessa, who you can see seems a bit underwhelmed by our last visit, it's been a whirlwind few months, and it doesn't look to let up for a while. 

Before I jump forward, I wanted to compliment the producers of the FHBF for an outstanding first event. Based in St. Augustine, the festival included a day of workshops for writers and a day for readers with more than 40 authors talking books and their related subjects. Next year's will be even better. I was pleased to present a marketing workshop on Friday, a Windrusher talk on Saturday, and sign books. To the left is faithful reader and St. Augustine writer Debby Jones who purchased the new book at the festival. 

Looking ahead, the fall months are particularly busy and I'll be giving talks and appearing at several conferences and cat shows. If you're looking to purchase an autographed copy of any of my books, look for me at these events:

• Saturday, September 27 – Barnes & Noble Booksellers, 11112 San Jose Blvd. in Jacksonville:  I'll be signing books from 1:30 to 4:00 p.m as part of the Literacy Pros Book Fair. Help support literacy programs and starving authors.
• Friday, October 3 – Yulee High School: I'll be speaking to all the English classes that day as part of the Amelia Island Book Festival's Author in the School program.
• Saturday, October 4 – Amelia Island Book Festival: Join me and dozens of other national authors for a day of book talk and signings. It all takes place on the campus of St. Peters Episcopal Church in Fernandina Beach.
• October 18 - 19 – Cats Exclusive Cat Show – War Memorial Auditorium, 800 NE 8th Street, Ft. Lauderdale: Two days amongst the finest cats in the land. My South Florida readers can enjoy the show and buy the new Windrusher from me.
• Tuesday, October 21 at 10:00 a.m. – Belleview Friends of the Library: Talk and signing.
• November 1 - 2 – CFA Allbreed Cat Show, Gwinnett Center, 6400 Sugarloaf Parkway, Duluth, Georgia. One of the largest cat shows in the south.
• November 8 - 9 – Family Art Fest & Salute to the Troops at Midtown Centre in Jacksonville. Formerly known as the Koger Center, Midtown is all-new and will celebrate with a grand arts & crafts show, family entertainment, music and more. I'll be there as part of a Florida Writers Tent hoping to sell a few books and eat a sausage dog or two.
• November 14 - 16 – 7th Annual FWA Conference, Lake Mary Marriott Resort. Three days of outstanding workshops, panel discussions, networking and more. I'm scheduled to do two writing presentation and moderate a panel of editors, publishers and agents. 
• November 21 - 22 – 15th Annual Cat Writers Conference, Renaissance Concourse Hotel in Atlanta, Georgia. A herd of cat writers assemble for workshops and seminars. We'll also sell a few books at the CFA International Cat Show.

I may have left something out, but you can see that it will be a very busy fall season. I'll catch my breath at Thanksgiving and Christmas, and maybe watch a few football games in between.

One last thing before I leave for those of you who have read and enjoyed the marvelous bestselling novel Water for Elephants. You'll be happy to know the author, Sara Gruen, is coming to NE Florida next month. The Friends of the Ponte Vedra Library are bringing her here as part of their Major Author Program. She'll be at the Sawgrass Marriott Resort on Friday, October 24 at 7:30 p.m. This is one of the author's rare appearnces, and you can meet her if you attend the VIP Reception prior to her presentation. Tickets are required and you can get all the details at the FOL website. Ms. Gruen will be discussing the writing of Water for Elephants and her upcoming book, Ape House. A question and answer period will follow along with a book signing.